News Release

07/17/08
PPL Trustees Approve New Agreement for City Library Service

The Providence Public Library (PPL) Board of Trustees met today and voted to approve a new Contract Agreement for library service with the City of Providence. The agreement calls for PPL to make a one-time gift to the City of approximately $1.3 million to ensure that all current neighborhood services remain in place for one year while efforts continue to reach a sustainable system.

Once approved by the Providence City Council, the new four-year contract – which will replace last year’s first-ever agreement – will enable the City and the Library to create and transition to a sustainable library system that continues to provide important services for residents of Providence and the state.

Recognizing that the library system as currently configured is not sustainable, both the City and PPL are committed to ensuring that a transition to a reconfigured system is carefully implemented to result in the least amount of disruption possible for all library patrons. The new agreement provides the time needed for the City, the City Council, and the community to consider a variety of options, including converting some of the library locations so that neighborhood needs of community space, safe havens for children, and computer access can still be met. Meanwhile, the Library is prepared to consider the donation of books, materials, computers and even buildings – an additional gift worth millions of dollars.

Also, under the contract agreement, a Washington Park Branch is fully funded for the year, along with the other neighborhood branches. On the strength of the agreement, the Library has already taken steps to expedite its review of the old firehouse building repaired by the City, as well as a lease. Once the contract is finalized with City Council ratification, and provided the building is ready for occupancy, PPL will relocate the branch back in the old firehouse.

“Service is of primary concern to us,” said PPL Chair Lisa Churchville. “We are pleased that this agreement and the $1.3 million gift from the Library will provide time for a conversion to a sustainable system, which provides not only library services to City residents, but also considers options for maintaining important neighborhood needs for community space, safe havens for children, and computer access,” said Churchville. “We look forward to consulting regularly and frequently with the City as it develops new initiatives to serve communities and we move toward a Library system that can be sustained within the budgeted funds available.”

Over the past year, the Library Partnership Advisory Committee -- made up for representatives from the City, the community and the Library -- has been exploring some of these options, which could include alternate uses of buildings, co-locations, and dedicated private funding for neighborhood space and operations.

Under the contract, plans for the sustainable system must be finalized by December 2008 with implementation by July 2009.

A 130-year-old private, not-for-profit institution, Providence Public Library is dedicated to providing free educational, lifelong learning and enrichment opportunities for all, regardless of background, age or income.